Vinyl pressings
by Clarence Reid · 1969
Nobody But You Babe was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
AL-16871-11 X̷ [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side A, variant 1
AL-16888-11 X [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side B, variant 1
AL-16871-1 X̷ [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side A, variant 2
AL-16888-1 X [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side B, variant 2
AL - 16871 - MO 21 MR LW W̶X Δ76340 ATA side runout
AL - 16888 - MO 21 LW MR X Δ76341 ATB side runout
AL-16871-MOA side label
AL-16888-MOB side label
AL-16871 - 1 LW W ATScribed Side A
AL-16888 - 1 LW X ATScribed Side B
SRCStamped Sides A & B
AL-16871 SPLabel Side A
AL-16871-11 X̷ [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side A, variant 1
AL-16888-11 X [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side B, variant 1
AL-16871-1 X̷ [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side A, variant 2
AL-16888-1 X [Sideways LW] ATRunout, etched, side B, variant 2
AL - 16871 - 1 LW X AT SRCSide A runout
AL - 16888 - 1 LW X AT SRCSide B runout
AL-16871 SPA Side label
AL-16888 SPB Side label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic AK 3244First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records 45-4574First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic DT-1129First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Alston Records 45-4574First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Alston Records 45-4574First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | UK | Atlantic 584290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Alston Records 45-4574First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Alston Records 45-4574First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Alston Records 4574First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Alston Records 45-4574First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Nobody But You Babe are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Alston Records 45-4574, released August 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-4574, 4574, 584290, AK 3244) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-16871-11 X̷ [Sideways LW] AT and AL-16888-11 X [Sideways LW] AT. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
